Ms. Melissa Nel is a Senior Scientist in the Persistent Toxic Substance Research Programme at the SAMRC’s Environment & Health Research Unit (EHRU), based in Cape Town. A dedicated social science researcher, Melissa emphasises qualitative research methods alongside epidemiological approaches to health issues. With extensive interdisciplinary experience, she has worked on socio-behavioural research in infectious diseases (HIV/TB), sexual and reproductive health (SRH), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and environmental health. Passionate about community-based research, Melissa is committed to engaging diverse stakeholders in the research process, particularly those from vulnerable and marginalised communities, to co-create impactful knowledge. She currently oversees a formative study exploring the artisanal cookware supply chain and its links to toxic metal exposure, while also coordinating research investigating environmental hazards among children attending early learning programmes (ELPs) in South Africa.